Tithing?

[Vince]

New Testament Tithing

Brethren, I feel that the case for NT tithing is much weaker than its advocates believe, but stronger than its opponents believe.

” “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings.” “That’s the Law!” someone exclaims. No, it’s the prophets.





“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the LORD of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.” Mal 3:10

The purpose of the tithe is to provide food in God’s house: “…the house of God, which is the church of the living God…1 Tim 3:15

Along with a multitude of others, I can testify that this promise to bless tithers is true.





1 Cor 16:2 “On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.” This cannot be a command to give freely; Paul specifically commands that it is to be according to their increase. You do not have to increase or decrease your giving if your income changes, but you do have to increase or decrease your tithe if your income changes.





The tithe does not apply only to crops: “Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase;” Prov 3:9



Jesus commanded tithing: ““Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.”



Folks, my honest opinion is that there are some context problems with using these verses to teach NT tithing, but there is a case for it

 

[Hopeful]

New Testament Tithing

Brethren, I feel that the case for NT tithing is much weaker than its advocates believe, but stronger than its opponents believe.

” “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings.” “That’s the Law!” someone exclaims. No, it’s the prophets.





“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the LORD of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.” Mal 3:10

The purpose of the tithe is to provide food in God’s house: “…the house of God, which is the church of the living God…1 Tim 3:15

Along with a multitude of others, I can testify that this promise to bless tithers is true.





1 Cor 16:2 “On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.” This cannot be a command to give freely; Paul specifically commands that it is to be according to their increase. You do not have to increase or decrease your giving if your income changes, but you do have to increase or decrease your tithe if your income changes.





The tithe does not apply only to crops: “Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase;” Prov 3:9



Jesus commanded tithing: ““Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.”



Folks, my honest opinion is that there are some context problems with using these verses to teach NT tithing, but there is a case for it

Why limit giving to 10% ?

 

[Norman]

We are all entitled to out opinion. I used to tithe religiously. After spending a week with a ministry retreat, I was convinced otherwise.
As that was 20 years ago, I'll have to refresh my memory. We each have to do what we believe is right.

 

[Vince]

Why limit giving to 10% ?

I don't. But "tithing," by definition, is 10%. Anything beyond that is "giving."

 

[WIP]

OK, it sounds like a company instead of a church.

Financially, it has to be managed within budget. We need to track what funds are brought in and what funds are paid out. We have to maintain our church building and parsonage, pay our pastor's salary, pay for electricity and LP gas, pay property taxes, pay the missions we've elected to support, and so forth.

 

[Hopeful]

I don't. But "tithing," by definition, is 10%. Anything beyond that is "giving."

By reinstituting an OT law to tithe, you inadvertently outlaw giving what the heart really wants to give.

 

[Hopeful]

Financially, it has to be managed within budget. We need to track what funds are brought in and what funds are paid out. We have to maintain our church building and parsonage, pay our pastor's salary, pay for electricity and LP gas, pay property taxes, pay the missions we've elected to support, and so forth.

You are operating under a much grander scenario than the house-churches I am used to.

 

[Vince]

By reinstituting an OT law to tithe, you inadvertently outlaw giving what the heart really wants to give.

I understand your thinking, but you are allowed to give beyond the tithe.

 

[Norman]

In my understanding, if one looks at the original language, organizational churchianity is unscriptural. Tithing was for the temple in Jerusalem.
I know I'm speaking against 2,000 years of tradition, but it's just the way I see it. To me, tithing is no different than keeping any other part of the 600+ laws of the written code. Giving is great...I was taught that being stingy with God can bring a curse. But holding something over from the old order to ensure people give a certain amount is, in my opinion, sinful.
But as I believe we are heading back to small house-type congregations, I'm not concerned about it.

 

[Edward]

In my understanding, tithing is not part of the new covenant. Giving is. 2 Corinthians 8, 9

Well, that is so, but (I think) there's more to it than that. And I doubt that God would hold it against someone who doesn't tithe. But tithing didn't go away.

Let's remember that God does not change. And tithing did so much for everyone involved. The tithe is 10% off the top. The church does always need money because they have outreach to the people and help people. Plus, the people who tithe are learning the biblical principle of pitching in and helping out.

Now God said that He will allow tithing to be used as a way in which the person can test God. This is the only way man is able to test God (Malachi 3:10) is by tithing but by doing so God pours out Blessings upon you for doing it. And yes, it does work. I used to use the excuse I can't afford to tithe...but I did it and it was like the floodgates of heaven were opened to me. So now I realize, I can't afford not to tithe!

Besides, a 10% tithe is about as reasonable and standard as it gets. Let us also keep in mind the parable of the Talents. The Lord wants us to be profitable servants to Him. I want to be a profitable servant to Him!

I don't think it's like, God is going to show up and say, where's my money boy. But if one has been tithing and blessing others in that way, He's going to say, well done servant thou has been profitable...!!

When God blesses you, do your best to pass blessings on to others so that there is flow. If blessings come in and there is no outflow then this river of life within us becomes a lake and may go stagnant. But if blessings come in and blessings go out, well then you have a river flow Brother.

Or so it seems to me!

 

[Edward]

New Testament Tithing

Brethren, I feel that the case for NT tithing is much weaker than its advocates believe, but stronger than its opponents believe.

” “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings.” “That’s the Law!” someone exclaims. No, it’s the prophets.





“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the LORD of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.” Mal 3:10

The purpose of the tithe is to provide food in God’s house: “…the house of God, which is the church of the living God…1 Tim 3:15

Along with a multitude of others, I can testify that this promise to bless tithers is true.





1 Cor 16:2 “On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.” This cannot be a command to give freely; Paul specifically commands that it is to be according to their increase. You do not have to increase or decrease your giving if your income changes, but you do have to increase or decrease your tithe if your income changes.





The tithe does not apply only to crops: “Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase;” Prov 3:9



Jesus commanded tithing: ““Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.”



Folks, my honest opinion is that there are some context problems with using these verses to teach NT tithing, but there is a case for it

I like how you think. Consider this, to have a giving and tithing heart is a condition of the heart and not a condition of law. And that's exactly where the NT points people, to their heart.

So Tithing is not NT Law. Tithing is covered in love thy neighbor as thyself. All humans are born helpless and receive help from others, so who wouldn't want to pitch in and help others out? Somewhere, there's a thirsty baby. And if the church had an extra 5 bucks they could send over some milk.

I believe that tithes can be paid to the poor directly on the street. That cuts through all the red tape and gets it into the hands that needs it.

 

[Edward]

My 1st wife did not like me tithing or giving offerings. But she would help out people on the street with a big heart. But she didn't like giving to any church. Said, she don't want to help make payments on the Pastors Mercedes.

I say to that, not my business. That's between that person and God if they wanna spend the milk money on a car. I gave with a good heart. Now it's out of my hands.

God can manage His own money. He can convict those people within themselves to stop them from any misappropriation of funds, so, again...not my business.

 

[Vince]

"This is the only way man is able to test God (Malachi 3:10) ... And yes, it does work."

Excellent point, Edward.

 

[Hopeful]

Well, that is so, but (I think) there's more to it than that. And I doubt that God would hold it against someone who doesn't tithe. But tithing didn't go away.

Let's remember that God does not change. And tithing did so much for everyone involved. The tithe is 10% off the top. The church does always need money because they have outreach to the people and help people. Plus, the people who tithe are learning the biblical principle of pitching in and helping out.

Now God said that He will allow tithing to be used as a way in which the person can test God. This is the only way man is able to test God (Malachi 3:10) is by tithing but by doing so God pours out Blessings upon you for doing it. And yes, it does work. I used to use the excuse I can't afford to tithe...but I did it and it was like the floodgates of heaven were opened to me. So now I realize, I can't afford not to tithe!

Besides, a 10% tithe is about as reasonable and standard as it gets. Let us also keep in mind the parable of the Talents. The Lord wants us to be profitable servants to Him. I want to be a profitable servant to Him!

I don't think it's like, God is going to show up and say, where's my money boy. But if one has been tithing and blessing others in that way, He's going to say, well done servant thou has been profitable...!!

When God blesses you, do your best to pass blessings on to others so that there is flow. If blessings come in and there is no outflow then this river of life within us becomes a lake and may go stagnant. But if blessings come in and blessings go out, well then you have a river flow Brother.

Or so it seems to me!

Substitute the word "circumcision" for "tithing".
Does your "God does not change" logic still hold?

 

[Edward]

Substitute the word "circumcision" for "tithing".
Does your "God does not change" logic still hold?

Well in the NT He talks about circumcision of the heart. so circumcision of the flesh was prolly a type n shadow of things to come.

Just because I may not fully understand the hows and whys of Him doing things doesn't mean it's not true. Just that I see through a glass darkly.

So are you saying that God does change?
Let us have your scripture backup for that Brother...

 

[Norman]

Thought this might help.
"The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live." - Deuteronomy 30:6

 

[Edward]

Thought this might help.
"The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live." - Deuteronomy 30:6

I knew it was in there somewhere, lol.

I believe that any way you look at it, loving the Lord with all of our heart soul and mind is having a heart full of good works. I guess that makes it not even a work any more but a deed of the heart. Done in Love.

 

[Norman]

"29 No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God." - Romans 2:29

 

[Hopeful]

Well in the NT He talks about circumcision of the heart. so circumcision of the flesh was prolly a type n shadow of things to come.

Just because I may not fully understand the hows and whys of Him doing things doesn't mean it's not true. Just that I see through a glass darkly.

So are you saying that God does change?
Let us have your scripture backup for that Brother...

Tithing is also a pre-sage (shadow) of NT doctrine, just as circumcision, dietary laws, feast keeping, ect. were.
But now we give all of ourselves to God, instead of just 10%.
All we have is from God, and it is His to have again with our thanksgiving for all we are.

 

[Corn Pop]

Im not a decendant of Jacob or a decendant of Levi, so i dont give or take a tithe.

Numbers 18:26